8/06/01

Yesterday (Sunday) was an especially nice day.  During the week I heard Bro.
Ginn (an elderly, kind of feeble,but super sweet and spiritual temple
worker) talk about being invited to Dalton for the dedication of their ward
building.  He opened that area as a missionary 60 years ago.  He said he
would love to go, but could not because he didn't have anyone to take him.
Lee told him we would take him and his wife.
After our meetings we left to pick them up at the temple apartments.  From
there we drove north for a little more than a hour to Dalton.  It is in the
north Georgia mountains almost to Tennessee.  In fact, it is in Chattanooga
Stake.  (Dalton is the home of Dalton Carpet Mills.)
Their building was started in 1981 and was built in 3 phases. They became a
ward in 1986. Now, finally it was complete.  It is a small, humble, friendly
ward.  They had an enthusiastic choir.  It was a simple and nice meeting.
They had 25 baptisms in June and July and are looking forward to much more
growth among the Latino mill workers there.
After the meeting we drove out into the country to see the Joseph Standing
Monument.  Elder Standing and Rudger Clawson went to that area as
missionaries in 1879.  They were walking to another town and stopped at a
spring for a drink.  A mob attacked them and killed Elder Standing.  The
property was donated to the Church by a neighbor for the monument.  One of
the members keep it mowed and nicely cared for.  There are picnic tables and
a beautiful weeping willow tree for shade.  The simple granite monument is
near a hand pump that provides water from the spring for thirsty travelers.
There was such a sweet Spirit there, just like at other Church History
sites.
We were fortunate to have Bro. Ginn tell us stories of his mission
experience.  After Elder Standing was killed, there were no missionaries in
that area for 60 years.  In 1941 Elder Ginn and his companion arrived.  They
had a hard time finding a place to stay the first night.  No one wanted to
house "Mormons"  One man reminded them that the last Mormon there was shot.
19 year old Bro. Ginn just said he knew that.  Finally a man agreed to feed
them and let them stay one night just because it was "the Christian thing to
do".  He was soon baptized along with his family.  His granddaughter is the
Relief Society president of the ward.  In fact, it was she and her husband
who took us to the Monument.
We talked to a Bro. Beasley who has been a member of the Church for 20
years.  His son is the first missionary to be sent from their ward.  He is
serving in Salt LakeCity.
We got back to our home about 9 p.m., tired, but feeling very rewarded for
our long day.
Love to all -